I made my Father in Laws day

[thebanjoman]

I've been working on this A for several years. i work on it when I can, only a few hours a month and its always hard to find the time to work on it.

My Father in Law has Alzheimers but it has been a very slow progression and has been slowed even further with drugs. He has his good and bad days and the longer sunlight days do help.

With all the work to be done I've had to prioritize what I do and to some have gone about it the wrong way in getting the chassis done first before the body.

Except for the brakes I have a completed chassis and wired engine with a gas tank from an '50s Briggs and Stratton NS-7 engine. I spent the 4th weekend finishing up things and getting it running. I've only had it running about 30 seconds before this by filling the carb before adding the gas tank.

We got my FIL down to the shop in his wheelchair and he was able to see his A running again.

He was also able to tell it was running rich (I didn't notice) and helped me get it running even better. He was really having a good day.

Before I brought him down I took a small video with the camera on my phone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzpDnWrPhoE

I''m a lousy cameraman.

The shop's a mess, I ruined the fan belt by not having it tight and the motors not running perfectly in the video. With the old guys help its running even better.

It was nice to make his day.

[48Ratfink]

Excellant story, My FIL also has Alzheimers and unfortunetly had to be placed in a Veterans home. I took My "A" to the home and gave Him a ride and really made His day,,,which really made My day!
Again,,great story!

[thebanjoman]

Originally Posted by Ed

Fantastic! Your father in law is lucky to have a "Son" like you. You will never regret making the time to do this project. I believe you have your priorities right.

I try and involve him every chance I get, often asking questions and gaguing when he seems less confused. I ask questions, many I already know the answers to for his opinion and trying when we can to keep him engaged. He seems the better for it.

Once I get the brakes done If I could make a safe seat for him to travel I'd like to see if we can at least run the chassis up and down the driveway in 1st gear. its completely flat, no grade and less than 100 yards. It won't be the same as having the entire car but I'm sure it will make him smile.

My wife is telling me that if I do drive the chassis only I need the right headgear..

A leather bomber helmet and goggles!! (I gave up smoking a few years ago so the cigar would have to be off limits)

The odd thing about this whole situation is that my own father HATED Fords and told me when I started driving that I'd be disowned if I brought home one (He lost some sight in his left eye when a '40 Ford radiator blew up in his face when he was younger and this we beleve that was "the straw". He was a vehicle inspector for VA State for 36 years and said he wanted to 'reject' every one of them he saw. He did his job legitimately and his integrity over his job was never questioned but he never passed up the opportunity to voice his disdain for one.

When I first started dating my wife one of his first questions about her was..

What kind of car does she drive....

When I told him "Mercury" he said to me..

"Son, I don't think its gonna work out.. You need to find you another gal"..

Dad and my FIL never met, Dad died in '94 soon after we married but I'm sure that family get togethers between the two of them would have been a hoot..

[Wick]

Great story,we must not give up on our seniors just because they have good days and bad days remembering. My daughter runs the rec.dept. at Windsor meade in Williamsburg She keeps Model A parts on her Desk. She gets to hear new stories all the time. I give her all my AACA mags when im finished with them. When she worked at the VA. she did the same thing. Men that did not want to talk would Start talking about the Model A! Your gonna have fun when you take him for a ride!
Wick

[Elcastor]

What a guy and it looks like it will turn out nice when you are done.

[thebanjoman]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Elcastor

What a guy and it looks like it will turn out nice when you are done.

You haven't seen me weld

[BeverlyHillbilly]

Great!

[HillbillyTim]

Great story. And great job on the chassis. Can't wait to see the finished car some day.
Don't neglect the banjo, though.

Tim

Always time to play my Martin guitars.

[w.michael]

Dad gummit, Banjo, you made me cry.

[thebanjoman]

Originally Posted by w.michael

Dad gummit, Banjo, you made me cry.

I wouldn't have to tell you a story to do that. I'd just show you my welds...

[cpl624]

A little over a month ago now, my FIL gave me (and my wife) a '31 pickup. Both of my brother-in-laws were upset, one especially. Both my FIL and I overheard him tell his wife, that they could have sold it and had a nice vacation off the money. My FIL looked over at me and said, now you know why you got it, and they didn't. Kind of funny how FIL's show their age with wisdom. A truck that hadn't been out from under the cover in 5+ years is now back on the road and going places.

[333Stu]

Freakn Awesome Dude! It is stories like this that keep the past alive! Keep movin brother...

[Jim Parker Toronto]

Great story, and keep asking him the questions, even if you know the answer. It might lead in another one that you don't know the answer to. Here's the seat and gas tank setup I used this spring. I like to get the bugs out while its easy to work on, so in my opinion, you're doing it right!
At this stage these cars will FLY!!! Think about some kind of a seat belt, and make sure the nut for the steering wheel is tight! (don't ask, you know how I found out)

[hardtimes]

Wow, sweet sound! And, beautiful story, thanks for sharing!
Have a similar situation going, so can share your feelings and situation! You're a good man for taking care of a good man!

[thebanjoman]

Originally Posted by Jim Parker Toronto

Great story, and keep asking him the questions, even if you know the answer. It might lead in another one that you don't know the answer to. Here's the seat and gas tank setup I used this spring. I like to get the bugs out while its easy to work on, so in my opinion, you're doing it right!
At this stage these cars will FLY!!! Think about some kind of a seat belt, and make sure the nut for the steering wheel is tight! (don't ask, you know how I found out)

My wife says she's worried about the "loose nut BEHIND the steering wheel"...

These photos give me good ideas but I'll have to make a 2 seater version so that FIL can be on the passenger side. Hadn't thought about a seat belt but will make sure there is one. And with him on the chassis I'll never leave 1st gear.

Now that the engine is running, onto the brakes. He put hydraulics ones on in the '50s when he had it and all the original parts are long gone. So I'm going back this route partly because of sourcing parts and its the way he had it. I'd like to go back to the originals but the $$ aren't there to return it.

[Gumpy]

great story thank you